Fire & Rescue Physical Abilities Testing at Wintergreen

The Wintergreen PAT has been modeled as closely as possible after the “National Standard” for our industry. What makes Wintergreen unique is that our small staff size doesn’t allow us to move staff to less physically demanding roles as they grow older. Staff at Wintergreen start as firefighters, and end as firefighters, no matter their age or rank. To that end, rather than testing employees only at their time of hire, Wintergreen will continue to test every 6 months. Continued employment is conditional upon successful completion of this test. –Chief Curtis Sheets, 2012

Note: In addition to the eight timed stations described below, there is the “ladder climb station,” which is not timed. The ladder climb station is simply to verify that employees are not afraid of heights. It requires the employee to climb to the 80’ mark on the ladder boom. The climb and decent must be in one continuous motion.

There will be an 80-ft walk between each station. EACH STATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES.

Your blood pressure and pulse will be taken before and after the test. Those with too great of a variance between vital sets may be asked to repeat the test at a later date.

There will be an evaluator walking next to you from the time you finish the initial station, until you complete the test. This person is there to answer any questions or to help you reposition your weight vest.

RULE NUMBER ONE – DON’T GET HURT! If you feel as if you are about to black-out, tell your evaluator, and stop as long as you need to. Your time however; will continue to accrue.

Obstacle One

Wearing a 75lb weighted vest, start at the bottom of the tubing park conveyor and walk to the top. (Approximately 1,000 with up to 15% grades)

Obstacle Two

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, lift two 30lb weights and carry them on an uphill grade for 100 feet.

Obstacle Three

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, drag 150’ of 1 ¾” hose uphill for 80’ until you reach two road cones. Once past the cones, drop to one knee and using a hand-over-hand motion continue to drag the hose uphill until the first coupling has crossed beyond the cones.

Obstacle Four

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, use a 10lb sledge hammer to strike a wooden object 10 times. The hammer must be raised above your head for the strike to be counted.

Obstacle Five

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, lift a 24’ “Fire Grade” aluminum extension ladder. (Approximately 60lb). Appropriately shoulder and carry the ladder for 80’, maintaining control at all times. Heel the ladder against a structure and using a hand-over-hand continuous motion, completely raise and then lower the fly section of the ladder.

Obstacle Six

Wearing a 50lb vest, use a six foot pike-pole to raise a 60lb weight approximately 2 feet. The weight will be suspended approximately 8-ft above the ground. The weight must be raised five times. Next, using the same pike-pole, hook a 60lb weight which will again be approximately 8-ft off the ground and pull it down (60lb resistance via pulley). Pull the weight down two feet. Pull the weight down three times. DO THREE SETS. Do not drop the pole.

Obstacle Seven

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, drag a 165lb “Rescue Randy” uphill for 40-ft and around a road cone, and then downhill for 40-ft. Return the Randy to the original starting position. You may stop to adjust your grip as often as you need.

Obstacle Eight

Wearing a 50lb weighted vest, crawl on your hands and knees around various obstacles for 80-ft. Your time will stop when you touch the road cone at the end of the crawl. At no point can you rest or rise up during this station.

Again, RULE NUMBER ONE – DON’T GET HURT! If you feel as if you are about to black-out, tell your evaluator, and stop as long as you need to. Your time will continue to accrue, however.